Fiber optic connector with boot-integrated release and related assemblies

ABSTRACT

Fiber optic connectors, including SC and MPO connectors that include a strain relief boot operably coupled with a release mechanism for releasing the connector from an adapter or other termination device or receptacle. The strain relief boot can be operably coupled to move axially together with the outer housing of the connector.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a National Stage Application of PCT/US2018/051139,filed on Sep. 14, 2018, which claims the benefit of U.S. PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/559,085, filed on Sep. 15, 2017, the disclosuresof which incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. To theextent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the abovedisclosed applications.

BACKGROUND

Telecommunications systems typically employ a network oftelecommunications cables capable of transmitting large volumes of dataand voice signals over relatively long distances. The optical cablescarry optical fibers that transmit optical signals. Networking anddistributing the data-transmitting optical fibers typically requirescoupling optical fibers to each other, e.g., by connecting one or more“input” fibers to one or more “output” fibers, which route signalsto/from one or more destinations, such as homes, businesses, orparticular pieces of hardware, such as computers, etc.

Coupling of optical fibers can take place at, e.g., fiber distributionpanels such as patch panels, at or within telecommunications closures,or other distribution equipment. Coupling of optical fibers to eachother can include one or more of optical splices, optical connectors,and/or optical alignments devices.

Optical connectors are commonly employed to couple optical fibers to oneanother, particularly when a high density of optical coupling isrequired in a limited space, e.g., at a patch panel. Different opticalconnectors can be used depending on the user's specific connectorizationneeds. For example, optical connectors can be ruggedized for outdoor orextreme environments. In addition, optical connectors can be singlefiber connectors or multi-fiber connectors, such as MPO connectors.

Optical connectors can also vary in form factor, which are standardizedwithin the industry by the Telecommunications Industry Association(TIA). Examples of single fiber connectors having different standardizedform factors are SC and MPO connectors. The standardization protocolrequires, for example, that all SC connectors becompatible/interchangeable with SC adapters and SC terminationreceptacles, that all MPO connectors be compatible/interchangeable for agiven MPO adapter or other MPO termination receptacle, etc.

For example, there is a Fiber Optic Connector Intermateability Standard(FOCIS) for SC connectors (FOCIS 3). FOCIS 3 covers, for example,adapter interface dimensions, adapter sleeve characteristics, adaptermounting characteristics, adapter keying characteristics, connectorinterface dimensions, ferrule characteristics, etc. FOCIS 5 covers MPOconnectors and adapters.

Typical SC connectors include an inner housing and an outer housing thatmoves relative to the inner housing. The inner housing supports aferrule that terminates the optical fiber. Pairs of SC connectors arecoupled to each other via some sort of adapter which optically alignsand couples the ferrule faces of the two connectors. Typically, theferrule is spring loaded in its respective connector inner housing toimprove coupling and optical transmission at the ferrule face.

The outer housing of a typical SC connector is axially movable relativeto the inner housing. Shoulders/catches on either side of the innerhousing of the SC connector snap into complementary features of anoptical adapter or other compatible termination device. The outerhousing includes windows that expose the inner housingshoulders/catches. The outer housing, by axially sliding relative to theinner housing, cooperates with the inner housing to release theconnector from the adapter or other termination device/receptacle. Atechnician can grasp the outer housing and pull back to actuate thisrelease mechanism.

Typically, a rear housing is coupled to the inner housing. A load/bendresisting element, such as a strain relief boot, is then coupled to therear housing and extends rearward of the connector. Thus, the outerhousing moves independently of the rear housing and the boot.

A prior art SC connector and SC adapter are described in U.S. Pat. No.5,317,663, filed May 20, 1993, which disclosure is incorporated byreference herein in its entirety.

Typical MPO connectors include an inner housing supporting a multi-fiberferrule and an outer housing moveable relative to the inner housingagainst an axially biasing spring. Pairs of MPO connectors are coupledto each other via some sort of adapter which optically aligns andcouples the ferrule faces of the two connectors. Typically, the ferruleis spring loaded in its respective connector inner housing to improvecoupling and optical transmission at the ferrule face.

Latch arms on opposing sides within an MPO adapter socket or othercompatible termination device lockingly snap into notches on opposingsides the outer surface of the inner housing. When latched, the innerwall of the outer housing covers the latch arms. By axially sliding theouter housing rearwards (i.e., against the spring bias) relative to theinner housing, the latch arms become uncovered by the outer housing.Further rearward pulling of the outer housing causes the portions of thelatch arms that engage the notches to ride up ramps at the front of thenotches, such that the latch arms disengage the notches, therebyreleasing the MPO connector from the adapter or other terminationdevice/receptacle.

A technician can grasp the outer housing and pull back to actuate thisrelease mechanism. A rear protruding stop on the inner housing can stopthe outer housing from being pulled back too far, e.g., from beingpulled rearward beyond the inner housing or from damaging the springthat axially biases the outer housing. A strain relief boot can beattached to the rear of the inner housing. Thus, the outer housing isnot operably coupled to the strain relief boot and moves independentlyof the strain relief boot.

There is a need for simplified fiber optic connectors, including, e.g.,SC and MPO connectors, having fewer parts and improved releasemechanisms.

SUMMARY

In general terms, the present disclosure is directed to fiber opticconnectors in which a strain relief boot is integrally movable with arelease mechanism of the connector such that, e.g., the releasemechanism can be activated simply by pulling on the boot. The releasemechanism can include, e.g., the outer housing of a SC connector or theouter housing of a MPO connector.

Advantages of the connectors disclosed herein can be realized, forexample, in high density connector termination equipment, such as adistribution or parking panel that includes a large number of denselypacked connectors. Due to the features of the connectors of the presentdisclosure, a technician can release a given connector from terminationequipment simply by grasping and pulling its strain relief boot, whichis more easily accessed than the connector's outer housing. Moreover,the flexibility of the boots allows for adjacent boots to bend asidewithout causing optical transmission disturbances while at the same timeproviding finger space for grasping the boot of the connector to beremoved.

The release mechanism features of the present disclosure can beincorporated into standard form connectors, such as standard SC and MPOconnectors. Thus, for example, the forward or mating portions ofconnectors of the present disclosure can match the correspondingconnector form factor and be configured to mate with the correspondingstandard adapter for that kind of connector.

Features of the disclosed connectors will be described with specificreference to SC and MPO form factor connectors. However, principles andfeatures of the connectors disclosed herein are not limited to theseconnectors, and can be applied to other connector form factors andnon-optical connectors, whether commercially practiced now or in thefuture.

Connectors in accordance with the present disclosure can be adapted toconnectorize single fibers to each other or sets of multiple fibers toeach other, e.g., the fibers of one or more ribbonized cables.

Connectors in accordance with the present disclosure can be “splice on”connectors in which one or more fibers are spliced to a fiber stub orstubs pre-installed in the connector inner housing. According to some ofthese examples, the splice or splices can be housed in a splice volumedefined by the connector. Alternatively, the splices can be providedoutside the connector.

Connectors in accordance with the present disclosure need not be “spliceon.” For example, an optical fiber can be terminated and processed inthe connector without being spliced.

Connectors in accordance with the present disclosure support one or moreferrules. The ferrules can be spring biased (i.e., axially movableagainst a spring) or fixed in place relative to a portion of theconnector housing. Each ferrule supports the end of at least one opticalfiber or optical fiber stub spliced to an optical fiber.

The optical fiber/fiber stub can be coupled to the ferrule in anysuitable way. For example, the fiber/stub can be inserted into apre-formed axial hole of the ferrule and secured therein, e.g., withadhesive. Alternatively, the ferrule can be over-molded directly ontothe fiber/stub or otherwise affixed thereto, e.g., with thermallyexpandable/compressible materials.

Connector housings of the present disclosure can be made integral withtheir ferrule or ferrules, e.g., the ferrule is molded together with thehousing. Alternatively, the ferrule(s) is/are installed in the pre-madeconnector housing.

The strain relief boots can be made integral with the respective releasemechanism of the fiber optic connector. Alternatively, the strain reliefboot can be manufactured as a separate component from the fiber opticconnector housing and then operably coupled to the release mechanism ofthe fiber optic connector when assembling the connector such that theboot is movable together with the release mechanism. Thus, in someexamples, the fiber stub or optical fiber is terminated in the connectorprior to the operable coupling of the strain relief boot and the releasemechanism. In other examples, the fiber stub or optical fiber isterminated in the connector following the operable coupling of thestrain relief boot and the release mechanism. In either case, therelease mechanism can be coupled to the inner housing of the connectorbefore or after the fiber stub or optical fiber is terminated in theconnector.

In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, a fiber opticconnector includes an inner housing supporting a ferrule at a front endand having a forward portion adapted to operably mate with a FOCIS 3 (oranother recognized industry standard) compatible SC adapter, the fiberoptic connector further including an outer housing axially movablerelative to the inner housing and operably coupled to a strain reliefboot such that the outer housing and the strain relief boot axially movetogether relative to the inner housing, the strain relief boot beingdisposed entirely rearward of the inner housing. In some examples, theinner housing includes one or more structural features of a standard SCconnector inner housing, such as protruding catches and/or protrudingstops. In some examples, the outer housing includes one or morestructural features of a standard SC connector outer housing, such as akeying feature, and/or axial guides and windows that cooperate with theprotruding catches and the protruding stops of the inner housing, aswell as the latch arms of an adapter or other terminating device.

In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, a fiberoptic connector includes an inner housing supporting a ferrule at afront end and having a forward portion adapted to operably mate with aFOCIS 5 (or another recognized industry standard) compatible MPOadapter, the fiber optic connector further including an outer housingaxially movable relative to the inner housing and operably coupled to astrain relief boot such that the outer housing and the strain reliefboot axially move together relative to the inner housing, the strainrelief boot being entirely disposed rearward of the inner housing. Insome examples, the outer housing is axially spring loaded. In someexamples, the inner housing includes one or more structural features ofa standard MPO connector inner housing. In some examples, the outerhousing includes one or more structural features of a standard MPOconnector outer housing.

In some examples of the connectors described herein, a flange extendsradially from a rear portion of the strain relief boot, the flange beingintegral with the strain relief boot. In some examples, the flangeincludes an annular concave surface surrounding an axial bore of thestrain relief boot and facing substantially away from the inner housingof the connector. In some examples, the flange is trumpet shaped and/orincludes an annular convex surface surrounding an axial bore of thestrain relief boot and facing substantially towards the inner housing ofthe connector.

In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, anassembly has a mated configuration and a non-mated configuration andincludes a fiber optic socket having one or more flexible latch arms anda fiber optic connector having a forward portion that lockingly mateswith the fiber optic socket in the mated configuration, the fiber opticconnector having an inner housing supporting a ferrule at a front end,the fiber optic connector further including an outer housing axiallymovable relative to the inner housing and operably coupled to a strainrelief boot disposed entirely rearwards of the inner housing such thatthe outer housing and the strain relief boot axially move togetherrelative to the inner housing and such that in the mated configurationaxial rearward movement of the strain relief boot causes flexion of theone or more latch arms. In some examples, the socket is a socket in afiber optic adapter. In some examples, the socket is a socket in astandard SC fiber optic adapter.

In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, anassembly has a mated configuration and a non-mated configuration andincludes a fiber optic socket having one or more locking features and afiber optic connector having a forward portion that lockingly mates withresilient latch arms of the fiber optic socket in the matedconfiguration, the fiber optic connector having an inner housingsupporting a ferrule at a front end, the fiber optic connector includingan axially spring loaded outer housing axially movable relative to theinner housing and operably coupled to a strain relief boot disposedentirely rearwards of the inner housing such that the outer housing andthe strain relief boot axially move together relative to the innerhousing and such that in the mated configuration axial rearward movementof the strain relief boot causes disengagement of the resilient latcharms from notches in an outer surface of the inner housing. In someexamples, the socket is a socket in a fiber optic adapter. In someexamples, the socket is a socket in a standard MPO fiber optic adapter.

In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, anassembly has a mated configuration and a non-mated configuration andincludes a fiber optic socket having one or more first locking featuresand a fiber optic connector having one or more second locking features,an inner housing supporting a ferrule, and a release mechanism thatmoves axially relative to the inner housing, wherein in the matedconfiguration a forward portion of the fiber optic connector including aforward portion of the release mechanism is housed in the fiber opticsocket such that the one or more second locking features lockinglyengages the one or more first locking features, and wherein the releasemechanism is operably coupled to a strain relief boot disposed entirelyrearward of the inner housing such that the release mechanism and thestrain relief boot axially move together relative to the inner housingand such that in the mated configuration axial rearward movement of thestrain relief boot causes disengagement of the one or more first lockingfeatures from the one or more second locking features.

In accordance with further aspects of the present disclosure, a fiberoptic connector includes an inner housing; an outer housing surroundingthe inner housing; and a strain relief boot; wherein the outer housingis movable relative to the inner housing and operably coupled to thestrain relief boot such that the outer housing and the strain reliefboot move together relative to the inner housing; and wherein the fiberoptic connector is compliant with one or more TIA FOCIS 3 standards oranother recognized industry standard.

In accordance with still further aspects of the present disclosure, afiber optic connector includes an inner housing; an outer housingsurrounding the inner housing; and a strain relief boot; wherein theouter housing is movable relative to the inner housing and operablycoupled to the strain relief boot such that the outer housing and thestrain relief boot move together relative to the inner housing; andwherein the fiber optic connector is compliant with one or more TIAFOCIS 5 standards or another recognized industry standard.

In some examples of the connectors and assemblies described herein, thestrain relief boot is disposed rearward of the inner housing of theconnector and has an axial length that is at least 25%, 50%, 75%, 100%as long (or greater) as an axial length of the inner housing definedbetween a front end and a back end of the inner housing.

In some examples of the connectors and assemblies described herein, atapered axial region of the strain relief boot is radially narrower thanat least one radial dimension of the outer housing.

In some examples of the connectors and assemblies described herein, atapered axial region of the strain relief boot is radially narrower thanall radial dimensions of the outer housing.

In some examples of the connectors and assemblies described herein, thetapered axial region of the strain relief boot is disposed forward of aflange that extends radially from a rear portion of the strain reliefboot, the flange being integral with the strain relief boot, andrearward of a coupling region of the strain relief boot that operablycouples the strain relief boot to the outer housing. In some examples,the flange includes an annular concave surface surrounding an axial boreof the strain relief boot and facing substantially away from the innerhousing of the connector. In some examples, the flange includes anannular convex surface surrounding an axial bore of the strain reliefboot and facing substantially towards the inner housing of theconnector.

In some examples of the connectors and assemblies described herein, thestrain relief boot defines a circumferentially closed axially extendingbore that receives a fiber optic cable carrying one or more opticalfibers. In some examples, an inner surface of the strain relief bootdefines the axially extending bore, the inner surface beingcircumferentially continuous and uninterrupted.

In some examples of the connectors and assemblies described herein, thefiber optic connector includes a neck region that operably connects theouter housing to the strain relief boot, the neck region including awall defining a hollow interior.

A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in thedescription that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individualfeatures and to combinations of features. It is to be understood thatboth the foregoing general description and the following detaileddescription are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictiveof the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosedherein are based.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are illustrative of particular embodiments of thepresent disclosure and therefore do not limit the scope of the presentdisclosure. The drawings are not to scale and are intended for use inconjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description.Embodiments of the present disclosure will hereinafter be described inconjunction with the appended drawings, wherein like numerals denotelike elements.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example prior art SC connector.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of portions of the prior art SC connector ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of an example prior art MPO connector.

FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of a fiber optic connector inaccordance with the present disclosure, including an optical cable.

FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the fiber optic connector of FIG.4.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 4along the line 7-7 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 8 is a further cross-sectional view of the fiber optic connector ofFIG. 4 along the line 8-8 of FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is an exploded view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 4.

FIG. 10 is an exploded view of an example prior art SC adapter.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an assembly including the fiber opticconnector of FIG. 4 and the adapter of FIG. 9, the fiber optic connectorbeing in a mated configuration with the fiber optic adapter.

FIG. 12 is a further perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 10.

FIG. 13 is a further perspective view of the assembly of FIG. 10, with aportion of the adapter removed.

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of an assembly including the connector ofFIG. 4 and a portion of the adapter of FIG. 9.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a distribution array of a plurality ofthe assemblies of FIG. 10.

FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of a further fiber optic connector inaccordance with the present disclosure, including a fiber optic cable.

FIG. 17 is a bottom perspective view of the fiber optic connector ofFIG. 15.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 15.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the fiber optic connector of FIG. 15.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of an example adapter that is compatiblewith the connector of FIG. 16.

FIG. 21 is a front view of the adapter of FIG. 19.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the adapter of FIG. 19 along theline 22-22 in FIG. 21.

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of an example assembly including the fiberoptic connector of FIG. 15 and the adapter of FIG. 19, the fiber opticconnector being in a mated configuration with the fiber optic adapter.

FIG. 24 is a schematic cross-sectional view of a portion of the assemblyof FIG. 22.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Various embodiments of the present invention will be described in detailwith reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numeralsrepresent like parts and assemblies throughout the several views.Reference to various embodiments does not limit the scope of theinvention, which is limited only by the scope of the claims attachedhereto. Additionally, any examples set forth in this specification arenot intended to be limiting and merely set forth some of the manypossible embodiments for the claimed invention.

Referring to FIGS. 1-2, a prior art SC connector 10 axially extendsalong the axis A₁ between a front 11 and a back 13 of the connector 10.Generally, the SC connector 10 includes a plurality of discrete partsthat are assembled together to form the connector 10. The parts include,e.g., an inner housing 14 supporting a spring loaded ferrule 16, a rearhousing 18 adapted to frictionally mount a flexible strain relief boot20, and an outer housing 22 positioned around the inner housing 14. Therear housing 18 is a separate component from the inner housing and thetwo are coupled together when assembling the connector 10. A removabledust cap 24 can be sleeved over the ferrule 16 to protect the ferrule 16when the connector is not in use. The flexible strain relief boot 20 isnot operably coupled to the outer housing 22, but rather is effectivelyaffixed to the rear housing 18 and, thereby, the inner housing 14.

The outer housing 22 moves axially relative to the inner housing 14 (andalso relative to the flexible strain relief boot 20) between forwardmost and rearward most positions. To axially move the outer housing 22relative to the inner housing 14, a user can grasp the finger hold 26toward the rear of the outer housing 22.

The inner housing 14 includes a protruding catch 28 on each of twoopposing sides and a protruding stop 30 rearward of the catches 28 oneach of the two opposing sides. Each of the pair of protruding catches28 and the pair of protruding stops 30 partially extends into a window32 on either side of the outer housing 22. The protruding catches 28engage a forward portion of the frames of the window 32 when the outerhousing 22 is in its rearward most position relative to the innerhousing 14. The protruding stops 30 engage a rearward portion of theframes of the windows 32 when the outer housing 22 is in its forwardmost position relative to the inner housing 14.

A pair of axially extending guides 36, 38 above and below each window 32on either side of the outer housing are adapted to engage flexible latcharms disposed in the socket of an adapter (not shown in FIGS. 1-2). Asthe connector 10 is axially pushed forwards into the adapter socket, theguides 36, 38, engage the flexible latch arms of the adapter and spreadthem apart until the protruding catches 28 clear the latch armsrearwardly. As the connector continues to push forward, the guides 36,38 then release the latch arms, allowing the latch arms to snap over therear of the protruding catches 28 and into the notch 40 immediatelybehind each of the protruding catches 28, which axially stabilizes orlocks the connector 10 relative to the adapter.

To remove the connector 10 from the adapter, the outer housing 22 ispulled rearwards such that the guides 36 and 38 again engage the latcharms of the adapter and spread them apart (i.e., out of the notches 40)such that the latch arms can clear the protruding catches 28 forwardlyand thereby release the connector 10. Thus, the technician must be ableto reach the outer housing 22 in order to disengage the connector 10from its adapter or other receptacle.

The guides 36, 38 are contoured with chamfers, peaks and troughs toprovide for the latch arm engagement and disengagement described.

A keying feature 42 on the outer housing 22 can be adapted to mate witha complementary feature of the adapter to provide for coupling ofconnector and adapter in only one orientation.

Referring now to FIG. 3, an example prior art MPO connector 50terminates a multi-fiber cable 52. The connector 50 includes an innerhousing 54 supporting a multi-fiber ferrule 56 and an outer housing 58moveable relative to the inner housing against a spring that biases theouter housing 58 along the central axis A₁ of the connector 50 towardsthe front 51 of the connector 50. The ferrule 56 is also axially springloaded.

Latch arms on opposing sides within an MPO adapter socket or othercompatible termination device lockingly snap into notches on opposingsides 53 and 55 of the outer surface of the inner housing. When theouter housing 58 is in the relaxed or forward-most position as shown inFIG. 3, a forward portion 60 of the outer housing covers the notches. Byaxially sliding the outer housing 58 rearwards (i.e., against the springbias) relative to the inner housing 54, the latch arms become uncoveredby the outer housing 58. Further rearward pulling of the outer housing58 causes the portions of the latch arms that engage the notches to rideup ramps at the front of the notches such that the latch arms disengagethe notches, thereby releasing the MPO connector from the adapter orother termination device/receptacle.

A technician can grasp the outer housing 58 (e.g., at finger grips 64)and pull back to actuate this release mechanism. A rear protruding stop66 on the inner housing 54 can stop the outer housing 58 from beingpulled back too far, e.g., from being pulled rearward beyond the innerhousing 54 or from damaging the spring that axially biases the outerhousing. A strain relief boot 68 is attached at the rear of the innerhousing 54. Thus, the outer housing 58 is not operably coupled to thestrain relief boot 68 and moves independently of the strain relief boot68.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-9, an example single fiber optical connector100 in accordance with the present disclosure will be described thatprovides at least one advantage over the prior art connectors describedabove. The connector 100 terminates a cable 80 carrying an optical fiber82. In some examples, the cable 80 is, e.g., a 900 micron cablecarrying, e.g., a 250 micron coated optical fiber 82 that passes throughthe connector from the rear, the coated fiber alone entering the bore130 of the ferrule 108.

The connector 100 is defined by a central longitudinal axis A₂ andextends longitudinally from a front 102 to a back 104.

The fiber optic connector 100 includes an inner housing 106 supporting aferrule 108. A forward portion 110 of the connector 100 can be adaptedto operably mate with a standard SC adapter. That is, the fiber opticconnector 100 can be TIA FOCIS 3 (or another recognized industrystandard) compatible. In addition, the inner housing 106 can beidentical to the prior art SC connector inner housing 14 describedabove.

The fiber optic connector 100 further includes an outer housing 112 thathouses the inner housing 106. The outer housing 112 is axially movable(i.e., along the axis A₂) relative to the inner housing 106 and operablycoupled to a strain relief boot 114 such that the outer housing 112 andthe strain relief boot 114 axially move (i.e., along the axis A₂)together relative to the inner housing 106.

The strain relief boot 114 extends rearwards beyond a rear end 116 ofthe inner housing. The strain relief boot 114 is adapted to provide bendradius protection to the cable 80 and the fiber 82 carried by the cable80. The strain relief boot 114 can be resiliently flexed away from axialalignment with the axis A₂. Optionally, to provide or enhance itsflexion capability, the strain relief boot 114 can include one or moregrooves or apertures 118.

Optionally, a flange 120 extends radially from a rear portion of thestrain relief boot 114, the flange 120 being integral with the strainrelief boot 114. The flange includes an annular concave surface 122surrounding the axial bore 124 of the strain relief boot and facingsubstantially away from the inner housing 106 of the connector 100.However, this surface need not be concave. The axial bore 124 of thestrain relief boot is in communication with the inner volumes 126 and128 defined by the outer housing 112 and the inner housing 106,respectively, as well as the fiber bore 130 of the ferrule 108.

The flange 120 can be, but need not be, made integrally with the rest ofthe strain relief boot 114 and can serve as a finger hold for moreeasily grasping the strain relief boot 114 when releasing the connector100 from an adapter or other termination device. The axial distance ofthe flange 120 from the portion 110 of the connector 100 that isinserted in the adapter or other termination device, combined with theinherent flexibility of the strain relief boot, can facilitate graspingand removing of a given connector 100, particularly from a high densitypanel or area of connectors, such as the high density array 300 ofadapters 200 and connectors 100 shown in FIG. 15.

The flange 120 can also provide additional strain relief to the cable80, particularly from lateral loads.

The strain relief boot 114 is disposed entirely rearward of the innerhousing 106 and has a length L₁ that is at least 25%, 50%, 75%, 100% aslong (or greater) as an axial length L₂ of the inner housing.

The strain relief boot 114 can include a tapered region 136 thatradially narrows from front to back and is radially narrower at allpoints than at least one or all radial dimensions of the outer housing112. The tapered region 136 is disposed forward of the flange 120.

In axial regions between adjacent apertures 118, the inner surface 140of the strain relief boot 112 defines portions of the circumferentiallyclosed axially extending bore 124 that receives the fiber optic cable80. In one or more of the axial regions between adjacent apertures 118,the inner surface 140 is circumferentially continuous and uninterruptedaround the axis A₂.

Optionally, a neck region 142 (which can taper axially) operablyconnects the outer housing 112 to the strain relief boot 114.

The inner housing 106 includes a protruding catch 144 on each of twoopposing sides and a protruding stop 146 rearward of the catches 144 oneach of the two opposing sides. Each of the pair of protruding catches144 and the pair of protruding stops 146 partially extends into a window148 on either side of the outer housing 112. The protruding catches 144engage a forward portion of the frames of the windows 148 when the outerhousing 112 is in its rearward most position relative to the innerhousing 106. The protruding stops 146 engage a rearward portion of theframes of the windows 148 when the outer housing 112 is in its forwardmost position relative to the inner housing 106.

A pair of axially extending guides 150, 152 above and below each window148 on either side of the outer housing are adapted to engage flexiblelatch arms disposed in the socket of an adapter (not shown in FIGS.1-2).

The guides 150, 152 are contoured with chamfers, peaks and troughs toprovide for the adapter latch arm engagement and disengagement describedbelow.

A keying feature 160 on the outer housing 112 can be adapted to matewith a complementary feature of the adapter to provide for coupling ofconnector and adapter in only one orientation.

Referring now to FIGS. 4-14, the prior art SC adapter 200 (FIG. 10) andthe connector 100 of FIGS. 4-9 are compatible with each other as shownin FIGS. 11-14.

The adapter 200 includes a main housing 202 defining first and secondconnector sockets 204 and 206 each adapted to receive the forwardportion 110 of a connector 100.

Within the main housing 202 is held a ferrule alignment mechanism 208including a ferrule alignment sleeve 210 and ferrule alignment sleevehousings 212 for receiving the ferrules 108 of two connectors 100 andaxially aligning and optically coupling them.

The ferrule alignment mechanism 208 includes pairs of latch arms 214 and216 extending parallel to the axis A₃ of the adapter 200 and adapted toengage the protruding catches 144 of the connector inner housing. Thelatch arms 214 and 216 are positioned relative to their correspondingalignment sleeve housing 212 such that projections 218 (projectingtoward the axis A₃) on the latch arms 214, 216 will slide and then latchover the protruding catches 144 of the inner housing of the connector100 when the connector 100 is properly inserted in the adapter socketand the ferrule properly inserted in the alignment sleeve 212. The latcharms 214, 216 can be resiliently flexed outward (i.e., away from theaxis A₃) when, e.g., pushed outward by the guides 150, 152 of theconnector 100 as the outer housing 112 or the strain relief boot 114 ofthe connector 100 is pulled rearwards (i.e., in the direction of thearrow 180 in FIG. 13).

The surfaces of the projections 218 can be rounded or chamfered toassist in guiding the projections to their latching position rearward ofthe protruding catches 144 of the connector 100.

The main housing 202 can include a keying slot 220 adapted to receivethe keying feature 160 of the connector 100. The main housing 202 canalso include a removable coupler 222 having flexible coupling arms forcoupling the adapter 200 to distribution equipment, such as a patchpanel.

During connector installation, as the connector 100 is axially pushedforwards (i.e., opposite the direction of the arrow 180) into theconnector socket 204, the guides 150, 152, engage the flexible latcharms 214 of the adapter 200 and spread them apart until the protrudingcatches 144 clear the latch arms rearwardly. As the connector continuesto push forward, the guides 150, 152 then release the latch arms,allowing the latch arms to snap over the rear of the protruding catches144 and into the notches 145 immediately behind each of the protrudingcatches 144, which axially stabilizes or locks the connector 100relative to the adapter 200.

To remove the connector 100 from the adapter 200, the strain relief boot114 is pulled rearwards (in the direction of the arrow 180) such thatthe guides 150 and 152 again engage the latch arms 214 of the adapterand spread them apart (i.e., out of the notches 145) causing the latcharms to clear the protruding catches 144 forwardly and thereby releasethe connector 100. The technician can grasp any portion of the strainrelief boot or the outer housing 112 to release the connector 100 fromthe adapter 200.

Referring now to FIGS. 16-19, an example multi-fiber optical connector400 in accordance with the present disclosure will be described. Theconnector 400 can be adapted to be compatible with a standard TIA FOCIS5 (or another recognized industry standard) adapter or other connectortermination device.

The connector 400 is defined by a longitudinal axis A₄ and terminates amulti-fiber optical cable 90, e.g., a ribbon cable. The connector 400includes an inner housing 402 supporting a multi-fiber ferrule 404 at afront end, the ferrule 404 defining a plurality of axially extendingfiber holes. A spring within the inner housing 402 axially biases theferrule 404 forwards. A forward portion 406 of the connector 400 isadapted to operably mate with a standard MPO adapter (described below inconnection with FIGS. 20-24).

The connector 400 further includes an outer housing 408 surrounding theinner housing 402 and axially movable relative to the inner housing 402.The outer housing 408 can be axially spring loaded, the spring biasingthe outer housing forwards.

The outer housing 408 is operably coupled to a strain relief boot 410such that the outer housing 408 and the strain relief boot 410 axiallymove together relative to the inner housing 402.

The strain relief boot 410 is disposed entirely rearward of both theinner housing 402 and the outer housing 408. The strain relief boot 410is adapted to provide bend radius protection to the cable 90 and thefibers carried by the cable 90. Thus, the strain relief boot 410 can beresiliently flexed away from axial alignment with the axis A₄.Optionally, to provide or enhance its flexion capability, the strainrelief boot 410 can include one or more grooves or apertures 412.

Optionally, a flange 414 extends radially from a rear portion of thestrain relief boot 410, the flange 414 being integral with the strainrelief boot 410. The flange includes an annular concave surface 416surrounding the axial bore of the strain relief boot and facingsubstantially away from the inner housing 402 of the connector 400.However, this surface need not be concave. In addition, the flange caninclude an annular convex outer surface 417.

The flange 414 can serve as a finger hold for more easily grasping thestrain relief boot 410 when releasing the connector 400 from an adapteror other termination device. The axial distance of the flange 414 fromthe portion 406 of the connector 400 that is inserted in the adapter orother termination device, combined with the inherent flexibility of thestrain relief boot 410, can facilitate grasping and removing of a givenconnector 400, particularly from a high density array of connectors.

The flange 414 can also provide additional strain relief to the cable90, particularly from lateral loads.

The strain relief boot 410 is disposed entirely rearward of the innerhousing 402 and has a length L₃ that is at least 25%, 50%, 75%, or 100%as long (or greater) as an axial length of the inner housing 402.

The strain relief boot 410 can include a tapered region 420 thatradially narrows from front to back and is radially narrower at allpoints than at least one or all radial dimensions of the outer housing408. The tapered region 420 is disposed forwards of the flange 414.

In one or more axial regions between adjacent apertures 412, the innersurface of the strain relief boot 410 is circumferentially continuousand uninterrupted around the axis A₄.

Optionally, a neck region 422 (which can taper axially) operablyconnects the outer housing 408 to the strain relief boot 410.

Optionally, a keying feature 424 on the inner housing 402 provides forinsertion into an adapter or other termination device in the properorientation.

A gap 430 between the inner housing 402 and the outer housing 408 isadapted to receive the free ends of the latch arms of an adapter orother termination device, as described below.

Referring now to FIGS. 20-22, an example multi-fiber connector adapter500 is defined by a longitudinal axis A₅ and includes a housing 502having opposing first and second sockets 504 and 506 to receive andoptically couple first and second connectors at an optical couplingplane 507, such as male and female versions of the connectors 400.

A keying groove 508 can be adapted to receive the corresponding keyingfeature of the connector.

Each of the sockets 504 and 506 includes a pair of opposing latch arms510, 512, each of the latch arms including a projection 514 at its freeend that projects towards the axis A₅.

Referring now to FIGS. 23-34, when, inserting the connector 400 into theadapter 500, the connector 400 is translated forwards (opposite thedirection of the arrow 450 in FIG. 23) into the socket of the adapter.In doing so, the projections 514 of the latch arms 510 snap into notches440 on either side of the inner housing 402, the rearward portions ofthe latch arms being covered by the inner wall 442 of the outer housing408.

By pulling on the strain relief boot 410 (including the flange 414)rearwards (i.e., in the direction of the arrow 450 in FIG. 23), theinner wall 442 of the outer housing 408 uncovers the latch arms 510.Further rearward pulling of the strain relief boot 410 causes theprojections 514 to ride up ramps 441 at the forward ends of the notches440 such that the latch arms 510 disengage the notches 440, therebyreleasing the connector 400 from the adapter 500 or other terminationdevice/receptacle.

The technician can grasp any portion of the strain relief boot 410, theneck region 422, or the outer housing 408 to release the connector 400from the adapter 500.

Although in the foregoing description, terms such as “front,”“forwards,” “back”/“rear,” etc., were used for ease of description andillustration in relating features to one another, no restriction on theuse of the components and assemblies of this disclosure is intended bysuch use of the terms.

Having described the preferred aspects and embodiments of the presentdisclosure, modifications and equivalents of the disclosed concepts mayreadily occur to one skilled in the art. However, it is intended thatsuch modifications and equivalents be included within the scope of theclaims which are appended hereto.

What is claimed is:
 1. A fiber optic connector assembly, the assemblyhaving a mated configuration and a non-mated configuration, comprising:a socket including one or more first locking features; and a fiber opticconnector having a longitudinal axis extending from a front to a back ofthe connector, the connector including one or more second lockingfeatures, an inner housing supporting a ferrule, an outer housing thatmoves axially relative to the inner housing, and a strain relief boot;wherein in the mated configuration a forward portion of the outerhousing is housed in the fiber optic socket such that the one or moresecond locking features lockingly engage the one or more first lockingfeatures; wherein the outer housing is operably coupled to the strainrelief boot such that the outer housing and the strain relief bootaxially move together relative to the inner housing and such that in themated configuration axial rearward movement of the strain relief bootcauses disengagement of the one or more first locking features from theone or more second locking features; and wherein in the matedconfiguration axial rearward movement of the strain relief boot causesthe outer housing to engage and spread apart a pair of resilient latcharms.
 2. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein thestrain relief boot is disposed entirely rearward of the inner housing.3. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the one ormore second locking features include a pair of catches protruding fromopposing sides of the inner housing of the fiber optic connector.
 4. Thefiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the one or more firstlocking features include projections defined by the pair of resilientlatch arms, the projections projecting towards the longitudinal axiswhen the assembly is in the mated configuration.
 5. The fiber opticconnector assembly of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic connector iscompliant with all TIA FOCIS 3 standards.
 6. The fiber optic connectorassembly of claim 1, wherein the fiber optic connector further includesa flange extending radially away from the longitudinal axis, the flangeextending from a rear portion of the strain relief boot.
 7. The fiberoptic connector assembly of claim 6, wherein the flange includes anannular concave surface facing substantially away from the innerhousing.
 8. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 6, wherein aradial diameter of the flange perpendicular to the longitudinal axis isthe largest radial diameter of the strain relief boot.
 9. The fiberoptic connector assembly of claim 8, wherein the radial diameter of theflange is at least twice as large as a radial diameter of the strainrelief boot at a front end of the strain relief boot.
 10. The fiberoptic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein a neck region of theconnector connects the outer housing to the strain relief boot, the neckregion being radially larger than a radial dimension of the strainrelief boot at a front end of the strain relief boot.
 11. The fiberoptic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the outer housing and thestrain relief boot are portions of an integral single-piece releasemechanism.
 12. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, whereinthe strain relief boot is disposed entirely rearward of the innerhousing, and wherein an axial length of the strain relief boot is atleast as long as an axial length of the inner housing.
 13. The fiberoptic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of aninner wall of the strain relief boot circumferentially surrounds thelongitudinal axis, the portion of the inner wall being circumferentiallyuninterrupted.
 14. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1,wherein the socket is a socket in a fiber optic adapter.
 15. The fiberoptic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein a tapered axial region ofthe strain relief boot is radially narrower than at least one radialdimension of the outer housing.
 16. The fiber optic connector assemblyof claim 15, wherein the tapered axial region of the strain relief bootis radially narrower than all radial dimensions of the outer housing.17. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 1, wherein the strainrelief boot is adapted to be flexed away from the longitudinal axis ofthe connector within the inner housing.
 18. The fiber optic connectorassembly of claim 1, wherein the outer housing is axially spring loaded.19. A fiber optic connector assembly, the assembly having a matedconfiguration and a non-mated configuration, comprising: a socketincluding first locking features; and a fiber optic connector having alongitudinal axis extending from a front to a back of the connector, theconnector including second locking features, an inner housing supportinga ferrule, an outer housing that moves axially relative to the innerhousing, and a strain relief boot; wherein in the mated configuration aforward portion of the outer housing is housed in the fiber optic socketsuch that the second locking features lockingly engage the first lockingfeatures; wherein the outer housing is operably coupled to the strainrelief boot such that the outer housing and the strain relief bootaxially move together relative to the inner housing; and wherein in themated configuration axial rearward movement of the strain relief bootcauses the outer housing to engage and flex resilient latch armsdisposed in the socket to disengage the first locking features from thesecond locking features.
 20. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim19, wherein the first locking features include projections defined bythe resilient latch arms; and wherein the second locking featuresinclude catches protruding from opposing sides of the inner housing andnotches positioned rearward of the catches, the notches being configuredto receive the projections when the assembly is in the matedconfiguration.
 21. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 19,wherein in the mated configuration axial rearward movement of the strainrelief boot causes the outer housing to spread apart the resilient latcharms disposed in the socket to disengage the first locking features fromthe second locking features.
 22. A fiber optic connector assembly, theassembly having a mated configuration and a non-mated configuration,comprising: a socket including one or more first locking features; and afiber optic connector having a longitudinal axis extending from a frontto a back of the connector, the connector including one or more secondlocking features, an inner housing supporting a ferrule, an outerhousing that moves axially relative to the inner housing, and a strainrelief boot; wherein in the mated configuration a forward portion of theouter housing is housed in the fiber optic socket such that the one ormore second locking features lockingly engage the one or more firstlocking features; wherein the outer housing is operably coupled to thestrain relief boot such that the outer housing and the strain reliefboot axially move together relative to the inner housing; wherein in themated configuration axial rearward movement of the strain relief bootcauses the outer housing to engage and flex resilient latch armsdisposed in the socket to disengage the first locking features from thesecond locking features; wherein the strain relief boot is disposedentirely rearward of the inner housing; wherein the fiber opticconnector further includes a flange extending radially away from thelongitudinal axis, the flange extending from a rear portion of thestrain relief boot; wherein the outer housing and the strain relief bootare portions of an integral single-piece release mechanism; and whereinthe strain relief boot is adapted to be flexed away from thelongitudinal axis.
 23. The fiber optic connector assembly of claim 22,wherein the outer housing is axially spring loaded.
 24. The fiber opticconnector assembly of claim 22, wherein the first locking featuresinclude projections defined by the resilient latch arms; and wherein thesecond locking features include catches protruding from opposing sidesof the inner housing and notches positioned rearward of the catches, thenotches being configured to receive the projections when the assembly isin the mated configuration.
 25. The fiber optic connector assembly ofclaim 22, wherein in the mated configuration axial rearward movement ofthe strain relief boot causes the outer housing to spread apart theresilient latch arms disposed in the socket to disengage the firstlocking features from the second locking features.